sorghum

noun

sor·​ghum ˈsȯr-gəm 

1

: any of an economically important genus (Sorghum) of Old World tropical grasses similar to corn in habit but with the spikelets in pairs on a hairy rachis

especially : any of various cultivars (such as grain sorghum or sorgo) derived from a wild form (S. bicolor synonym S. vulgare)

2

: syrup from the juice of a sorgo that resembles cane syrup

Illustration of sorghum

• sorghum 1

Examples of sorghum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gluten-free sourdough bread is made with gluten-free flours such as those made with millet, sorghum, teff, quinoa, and buckwheat. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 28 Jan. 2025

The children are now eating sorghum and beans, high-iron beans, and even rice. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Others offer nyjer seeds or milo seeds (also known as sorghum) and others. —George Petras, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025

Before a time when coconut sugar or stevia were easy to find at conventional stores and markets, alternative options were almost exclusively syrups like corn syrup, molasses, maple syrup, and sorghum syrup. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Italian sorgo, from Vulgar Latin *Syricum (granum), literally, Syrian grain

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sorghum

• grain sorghum
• sweet sorghum

Kids Definition

sorghum

noun

sor·​ghum ˈsȯr-gəm 

1

: any of a genus of Old World tropical grasses that look like corn

especially : one cultivated for grain, forage, or syrup

2

: syrup made from a sorghum